Southern California -- this just in

Bad day for the Bratz in L.A. court

December 4, 2008 | 8:38
am

A federal judge delivered a potentially fatal blow to the popular Bratz dolls and their manufacturer, MGA Entertainment Inc., ruling late Wednesday that archrival Mattel Inc. is the legal owner of the edgy toy line and has the right to recall all unsold Bratz.

The court order, which represents a major victory for toy giant Mattel, says MGA may no longer manufacture, sell, advertise or license its core lineup of Bratz dolls or any other product with the Bratz name.

Preteen girls, who took to the pouty-lipped Bratz almost from the time they debuted in 2001, will still be able to put them on their gift lists for this holiday season, however. The order by Judge Stephen Larson will not take effect until the warring toy companies meet in court Feb. 11, at the earliest.